My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

cake box down on a stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children was surrounding her and staring

is

lifted a knife and a paper plate, preparing to cut into

candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she treats you all to some cake,

a little girl in pigtails, immediately said, “Wish Miss Rachel

the ‘Happy

her eyes and

blow out

that there was no need to go to such

unison. The delicate chorus of young voices

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

say it in your heart and not out loud, or the wish

lowered her head to look, she found a little girl who wasn’t even at table height yet

made a wish. After that, she

say thank you!” their parents

Just like that, the strangers in the community suddenly seemed closer and the whole scene was

finally smiled for the first

continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your

about me. I never wanted it, anyway, so I might as well pretend it never existed for now.

her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make

and headed toward

apartment

a loud slam, the door was propped open by a large hand from

his darkened face made all the more

on business?

slid sideways into the house and shut

“I see you’ve been getting along fine without

two steps back. Why

her resentfully, he stalked toward her as he pulled off his necktie and threw

you wouldn’t want me to

he approached her, forcing her

Rachel had no idea

he caught hold of her arm and pulled, she staggered after him and